Astros’ numbers game paying off with picks

There are a few draft picks to sign before the July 13 deadline, but the Astros’ signing of third baseman Rio Ruiz on Monday marked the completion of the toughest part of their plan.

The Astros saved $2.4 million vs. the slot value of the pick when they got No. 1 pick Carlos Correa to agree to a $4.8 million deal. That enabled them to sign supplemental first-rounder Lance McCullers Jr. away from Florida for $2.5 million and Monday, the fourth-rounder Ruiz signed for a well-above-slot $1.85 million, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

General manager Jeff Luhnow called all three first-round talents, two of whom dropped because of signability concerns. With Ruiz signing rather than attending USC, the Astros will have all three in the Gulf Coast League.

“We got more bets on the table, and that was part of our strategy,” Luhnow said. “You can put all your eggs in one basket and get one guy or you can do what we did and really try to get three first-rounders, which is what we were able to accomplish and feel much better about our odds.”

Ruiz was in Houston on Monday for a physical and took batting practice and grounders at Minute Maid Park with his family and agent Scott Boras watching. It was the culmination of an unusual courting that was altered by the fact Ruiz missed most of his senior season with a blood clot near his neck. He was cleared medically and will be a full go once he reports to Kissimmee, Fla.

“When you think blood clot, you think heart attack or stroke,” Ruiz said. “But my doctors are the best out there and I trusted what they said.”

Him making it to Minute Maid Park is a tribute to the work the Astros did scouting him before his full would-be senior season.

The Astros knew him from the prestigious California showcase called the Area Code Games in addition to a Southern California scout league.

He was also invited to the Astros’ predraft workout in Los Angeles.

“I knew I wasn’t going to do well,” Ruiz said. “My hitting and timing was off, my arm wasn’t in shape. I just went out there and had fun and had the blessing of them taking me.”

Now, he knows it will take time to get back in shape.

But his decision is made, and with only second-rounder Nolan Fontana and seventh-rounder Preston Tucker left to sign in the top 10 rounds, the Astros’ plan to spread their $11.2 million bonus pool is nearing completion.

Cosart getting noticed

Jarred Cosart was named the Class AA Texas League pitcher of the week as the League City native’s season heats up. In his past two starts he threw 13 scoreless innings.

Cosart was also added to the roster for the Southern Division in the Texas League All-Star Game.

Double duty for Lane

The Sugar Land Skeeters have former Astro Jason Lane pulling two-way employment.

Lane is trying to return to the big leagues as a pitcher and has a 2.63 ERA in two starts and one relief outing for the Skeeters.

He’s also been used regularly in the outfield, where he has been a top hitter, entering Monday batting .359 with two home runs in 11 games.